Dear Oprah:
I have been let down by so many of my idols throughout my life. I first learned celebrities weren’t perfect when Boy George, who embarrassingly became my first pop idol, was arrested for heroin use. I was even more let down when Michael Jackson, the self-proclaimed King of Pop, allegedly turned into the King of Poop, but paid his way out of it. By the time Whitney Houston became a crack addict, I pretty much grew immune to the fallen idol syndrome. I also believed you, one of my idols since the mid-eighties, would never let me down. Within the past couple of years, you’ve proven me wrong.
I know you want me to refer to you as God, since everything you do these days seems done for the sole purpose of promoting yourself as the Messiah, but I think you need to slow down. Earlier this year, you opened The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in Africa. I admit it was a good thing, but if your motives for opening this school were truly altruistic, then how come I had to see your face on every single magazine and television special advertising it? A true philanthropist doesn’t need to constantly brag about the good deeds he or she is doing.
You see, Oprah, if you are going to make such a big deal about your school, you need to pay attention to it after the ratings sweeps. Hearing your tearful apology when finding out that your school is nothing more than a playground for sexual misconduct was just about as believable as your pathetic frying of James Frey, the author of A Million Little Pieces. I truly believe you were hoping the information about the sexual misconduct wouldn’t come out.
I used to think you stood for the common people. Your show about the Los Angeles riots in 1992 was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen on television. Lately, however, you seemed to have lost your touch. You can speak out against poverty all you want while sitting on that golden toilet, but exploiting poverty for the sake of exploitation doesn’t help the problem.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - harryo
Daryl, you're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't. I've seen shows where Oprah has given money and offered support for Black social service, anti crime and education organizations. If Oprah wanted to start or fund a school here it would involve tons of red tape and legal libality. If the South African school was in the United States, the situation of a staff member charges with molesting a student would have been dealt with by a ton of lawsuits against deep pockets Oprah and legal actions to keep the accused teacher on the job. In South Africa the accused teacher was fired immediately and nobody's filing any lawsuits. Also Africans complain about promiment Americans not do anything to help less advantaged Africans. Most athletes and celebs to keep their charity record very low key to prevent the "well he gave to this organization but not to that organization" type of negative publicity that sometimes comes from well known charity work.
2 - ostrova
I read that Oprah said she was very put off when she asked some American students what they'd like from her because their answers were all about sneakers and electronics and other stuff to wear or make some noise. I guess computers could've had redeeming value, but what she said was it was all about the bling. When she was in Africa and asked the same thing, the same-aged kids said they'd really like school uniforms, for example. She liked that kind of response a whole lot better. And that's why her academy isn't in Chicago.
The bottom line is, it's her money. You can disagree with her choices about spending it, but she's no elected official (really, she isn't). Maybe she needed to poll a larger group of schoolkids before she made up her mind, or maybe the only righteous kids are overseas, I dunno. Maybe one of her associate producers can research a show on that, with Gary Zukav or Dr. Phil and Rachael Ray making snacks. Just saying: yeah, I wish some deeper thought had gone into this school project, but Oprah didn't have to ask our permission to do it Oprah-style.
3 - Ellen
Daryl,
Who are you to judge Oprah? You do you - and let Oprah do Oprah.
E.
4 - Matthew T. Sussman
So she has a restraining order against me? Big deal, I'll just write an open letter.
5 - student07
Daryl,
I find your letter to be highly unfair to Oprah, as she has done countless great deeds globally. what she does for African Americans should only reserve the opinons of African Americans. No one criticizes Jews for what they do for eachother or Hisapnics for sticking together like white on rice. Although I strongly agree and can attest to the fact that affirmitive action (a practice implmented after the civil rights movement to deter discriminatory decisions in the work place for example, seeing that many have forgotten)- has become void, being born black in this country is nothing more than a punishment, and after being supressed for centuries black americans have become culturally accustomed to the lack of support amongst eachother in fear of being left on the bottom with crumbs and no boot straps to pull up.
As a struggling, independent black college student with nothing in my possession other than credit card debt and student loans, I will unequivocally agree with Oprah, that we do as AMERICANS have an opportunity, regardless of race in comparrisson to those in the 3rd world.
I recently watched an ABC documentary "Heart of Darkness." the civil unrest in the Congo is intrinsically inconceivable. the thought of eating a cup of potato water every two days is inhumane. Women at the age of 42 with a days work of carrying a 200lbs. bag up a rocky rugged mountain trail with no shoes is just unimaginable with white colonialist living in their lavish complexes off the labour of these slaves mining coltran and diamonds is disgusting.
Finally! someone has come to the rescue of these people who have suffered for centries. So if you wanna call Oprah a mesiah, then so be it. what is Bill Gates doing with his Billions, or George Bush, leader of the free world, what is he doing, where is his heart? Bush turned down $250 million in health aid to Africa, yet he supports the ongoing financial and military assistance to ISRAEL annually. the country has the strongest military in the region thanks to U.S. support, Isreal doesn't need anymore assistance!
I honestly don't think the publicity serves Oprah in any way, but what she has done deserves to be known, it's a postive thing. People need to know what good is. People need to spread good news regardless of color. we need to revert to the "veil or ignorance."
6 - Mary
Well Daryl, that was quite an open letter on someone like Oprah. I also was a fan of Oprah for many years. When Oprah started in the beginning there was some grit and some gratitude. I do believe she blows her own horn way to much, which gives her a very distasteful quality. The fact is, that her show and “character” has become homogenized. Its a bit sad growing up as a child in the 50s, witnessing so much over the years regarding American culture and change and what it meant to have causes. Real live living causes, just like the one at Oprah's school. About the children there and how grateful they were with Oprah’s wonderful gesture. I do believe that Oprah, with all the power she has and all the money she has, albeit good intentions, does not understand the culture and the government of Africa as much as she thinks she does. Perhaps she understands the needs and what is obvious to her, what is in front of her, but I think her journalistic prowess fell short in the psychological aspect of the women of Africa and what they have endured. I would bet that most of the people hired there have gone through similar situations that the children were being exposed to at the school, or over night, decades or longer. I think it is called learned behavior, which you do not necessarily learn in school, and between you and me, personally I do not think Dr. Phil could fathom the psychology behind it all. Imagine that? It takes more than a school to educate a child. Oprah may be very astute in hiring a high rise full of highly educated people to run her single TV life, however hiring teachers, checking their backgrounds, the government officials in the area, and on-site psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists and social workers, in my estimation would have been essential in this situation, given the sensitive nature of nurturing very underprivileged young girls, who just want be educated, and to become somebody one day, an idol perhaps like Oprah.
I do believe that Oprah has sold herself. I think too of that James Frey incident and I shake my head. What did that really solve? Humiliation. Okay she won, but writing is writing and obviously, this guy knew how to write. So now we have one less writer around. I guess she may know how he feels now. Did Oprah get where she is now by just hard work alone? Do you think some of it had to do with the fact that she was a black woman in the right place at the right time that could really cut it?. Everyone who succeeds gets breaks in one way or another, like Dr. Phil for example, but maybe she forgot.
7 - Bill Jones Jr. / Mpls., MN.
Daryl,
Sounds to me like you spend alot of your time Idol worshipping..., you seem to know alot about what other people should, and shouldn't do.
And they all seem to be people you don't know, won't know, and couldn't get near.
Wait a minute, what is it you do? I didn't catch that part.
I guess what I really wanted to say is:
"STOP PAYING ATTENTION TO WORLDLY DISTRACTIONS"
If you were focused on what is real you'ld know better..., Go to I Thess; 4:11
You have no idea what I'm talking about do you?
Will some one fill this misguided child in...
I'm out...
8 - Tvandal
Well Daryl seems like most of these other comments on Oprah sum up my opinion of your letter. I will add. Dude get a life. Oprah has tried to do more for this nation and others than I have seen anyone else. People are human beings and think that it is people like you...the no doers who try to judge the good doers. Oprah could be like every other celebrity and do nothing positive with her MILLIONS. Instead she has tried to show the world money doesn't only mean luxury but responsibility. At least she tries to promote positive change and fulfill her role as an world icon too. You know keep the brainless interested by showing them what they want to see.
It wasn't Oprah who hurt those girls it was a sick SOB and she is dealing with it and once again making people aware of a very serious problem in that area and the world. Sexual abuse is something that must stop and she being a victim would not hide this....she has shared all off her pains with the public in the past! Why would she hide this now. Get a grip man....no one can hurt you with your secrets if you openly share them.
Besides to idolize someone is to not know who you are and live through them. Respect her but don't idolize because you will always be disappointed because HUMANS are a disappointing species!
9 - Roseline Itua
Darly,
What have you done for just one poor child near your environment?
10 - stephpowers
Daryl,
You said EXACTLY what I've been thinking in this letter. I really like your passion in it and it doesn't seem like an effort to bash a celebrity for the sake of bashing someone (I've read some of your other rants).
Oprah's intensions are good, I believe. But she is the biggest hypocrite on the planet. You are right about African Americans not respecting her. Count me as one!
11 - scottie
why are you so full of hate?
do you realize you have become the thing you are fighting against?
life is too short to be angry about anything.
BE the change you wish to see in the world.
peace and love
scottie
12 - susan miller
DEAR DARYL....I THINK YOU SAID WHAT MANY WANT TO SAY..AT FIRST SHE WAS FOR RTHE REAL PEOPLE..AND HELPED. I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU THAT I AM GOING TO SEND AN OUTDATED FIGHT FOR LIFE STORY TO YOU ON YOUR EMAIL...WITH PHOTOS....TOO MANY SAID GET TO OPRAH...SHE WONT LET YOU DIE..DUE TO THE NATURE OF MY STORY IN FULL I WAS VERY WORTHY OF SAVING...3, ALMOST 4 YEARS AGO BEFORE I GOT WORSE AND ENDED UP LOSSING EVERYTHING I LOVED AND WORKED FOR...AS I HAVE NO FAMILY TO HAVE HELPED ME.....IT DID NOT HAVE TO COME TO THIS AND I DID NOT HAVE TO DIE...
I EVEN MET GAYLE KING, OPRAHS BEST FRIEND.....MY FIGHT FOR LIFE STORY WITH PHOTOS IN AN ENVELOPE AND IN PERSON HERE IN NEW YORK.. I GAVE IT TO HER AND SAID "PLEASE...YOU AND OPRAH READ MY STORY.".IT WAS NOT ASKING FOR ANYTHING BUT HELP TO BE HEARD....DID I HEAR ANYTHING...NOT ONE WORD....
I HAVE EMAILED MY STORY WHICH IS NOT A STORY "IDEA" IR IS LITTERALLY A VERY SERIOUS FIGHT FOR LIFE...I EMAILED IT UNDER THE TOPICS AND HEADINGS THAT ARE POSTED..MY STORY FIT MANY OF THEM..DID SHE CALL ME AND OFFER TO HELP ME???NO.....
IF YOU TRUELY HAVE LOVE AND PHILANTHROPY IN YOUR HEART ONE DOES NOT GO AROUND THE WORLD BRAGGING. IT IS A SILENT THING DONE WHERE YOU AND GOD KNOW....NOT RTHE WORLD...THE MILLIONS OF THINGS SHE HAS DONE???WELL I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT IT IS DONE FOR A MAJOR TAX BREAK...
AND BIG SELF GAIN..
NOW SHE HAS THIS THYROID THING..WELL I KNOW ALOT ABOUT IT AS MY ENDOCRINOLOGIST WAS VERY WELL KNOWN ALL OVER THE WORLD AND DEVELOPED THE BIG TSH TEST FOR DIAGNOSING THYROID..DR HERBURT S. KUPPERMAN... HE WAS A BEAUTIFUL SOLE AND I WOULD HAVE DIED LONG AGO IF IT WAS NOT FOR HIM......
DARYL..WHEN BONO...SHOWMANSHIP...PR... HOLLYWOOD..IF YOU GOT A VERY SERIOUS LETTER WITH
PROOF FROM SOMEONE AND
A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF DOCUMENTS....THE NATURE OF THE STORY...WOULD YOU LET THAT INNOCENT PERSON CONTINUE TO SUFFER AND DIE OR WOULD YOU REACH OUT AND SAVE THAT SOUL???A REAL PHILANTHROPIST WOULD SAVE THAT SOUL.......I WAS IN THE INDUSTRY SOON TO MAKE IT VERY BIG IN THE INDUSTRY..I WAS EVEN AN A LISTER FOR WHICH IT BORED ME..FAME TO ME IS A FOUR LETTER WORD WHICH MEANS NOTHING UNLESS YOU USE THAT POWER FOR GOODNESS....I THINK YOU DID AN EXCELLENT JOB WITH YOUR ARTICLE DARYL AND SAID ALL THAT I WANTED TO SAY ONLY BETTER THAN ME FOR I CANT DO IT ANY MORE....LIFE IS A GIFT FROM GOD AND THOSE WHO ARE IN THE POSSITION TO SAVE AN INDIVIDUALS LIFE SHOULD ESPECIALLY IF THAT PERSON WAS A CVICTUM AND TRIED VERY HARD TO GET WHAT THEY NEEDED....I PRAY MY LETTER GETS TO YOU FOR I WANT TO KNOW WHY OPRAH LET ME DETERIORATE AND DIE????SHES KNOWS MY STORY....SO DOES GAYLE...NOT ONLY THAT MY STORY ON NATIONAL TV WOULD HAVE SAVED MANY OTHERS OUT THERE AS IT WOULD HAVE TEACHED THEM THE DO AND DO NOTS.....I COULD HAVE HELPED THIS FROM BEING DONE TO OTHERS...THAT WAS MY MISSION, DARYL..I DONT AND CANNOT GO ON ANY MORE..I HAVE NOTHING LEFT TO LOOSE.. CELEBRITIES????NO THEY ARE NOT GOD AND ALL TO MANY ARE VERY GREDY AND SELFISH.THEY FORGET WHERE THEY CAME FROM...LOVE AND PEACE ....SUSAN MILLER
13 - Andrea
At the end of the day, the girls are now being protected unlike other girls all over Africa.
14 - daryl d
this letter was done out of love for oprah, not hate. I just do not like the direction she has been going in.
15 - Kayemu
Who exactly is perfect? Oprah is human just like the rest of us. She does her best. Say what you will about her but she is authentic - authentically interested, deeply caring and yes - humanly flawed. As long as she strives to do good in this world and right all wrongs committed in the wake of her journey then really who are we to judge her? I hope you are doing all you can to make the world a better place - but judging from the vitriol in this letter, I'm doubtful. There is a much more balanced assessment of Oprah to be made. You should probably make it if you don't wish to come off as biased or embittered. Right now I can't take your attack very seriously, outside of posting a dissenting note so others will know your opinion is not universal.
Good luck!
16 - Laura
Oprah is a lady that understnd peoples needs.She also understand tha peoples problem. I LOVE U OPRAH! UR MY IDOL.
17 - Laura
Well,How Can I say about Oprah Winfrey.OH! I got one Oprah is a nice lady that care about people situtions. Also she understand what they are talking about.She also understand our needs. Love Ya!
18 - Pat Martin
Daryl- Severely criticizing someone as dedicated, talented, focused, globally-minded, intelligent, open-minded and loving as Oprah Winfrey must mean you have lots of spare time on your hands. Why not follow her example and get involved in improving the world rather than attacking those who do? Keep watching her show, maybe some day she will do one on parasitic behavior and you may learn something towards getting yourself back on track.
19 - Debbie
Daryl, i am not surprised that you criticise Oprah
for doing good. Jesus was flawless and they crucified him so you go ahead and criticise. As long as you dont crucify her thats alright with me. People will always find falt with you whether you are good or bad while at the same time they are doing nothing to make the situation better.
Daryl let us see what you can do
20 - daryl d
I'm NOT criticizing Oprah for doing good. She has done more good than I can ever dream of. I'm criticizing Oprah's intentions for doing her "good." It seems like all her charty events are organized publicity stunts. If she truly cared about education, why doesn't she open up schools in AMERICA. She expected all these brownie points for opening up a school in South Africa but didn't care about it anymore after the ratings sweeps.
21 - David R.
I am an American Veteran, and I am ashamed at the publicity that oprah has received for her "efforts". If she wants to help start here, in America.Not in S. Africa. Not by flaunting her money by buying bored housewives things and attacking good americans like Bill O'Reilly. I am ashamed ever since her stab at the beef farmers in this country and by her presence on tv all together. This country needs alot of changes and one is by getting her off the air.
22 - Cynthia
Oprah is the queen of all media and in that light lets what she does shine in the media. Dont have such a closed mind.
23 - susan miller
i know that daryls letter is not a hateful one what so ever. i know that it is that he is not liking the direction she is taking...ii mean come on, its all celebrity based for god sake, there is even a sight called "how to get on the oprah winfrey show thats rediculous. if your story fits the topic than you shold go on the show. mine fit tons of them and gayle king i gave my letter to her with photos of a life and death case...i got not eev an email respone. she let me die.if i were a celebrity who fell by the way side she would care. i know this for a fact. i need help from the world..i want my story told..susan miller
24 - Sue
Daryl,
I do not understand people like you who are so critical of people that are doing something good for the world. You talk about Oprah as if she only does these things so people will worship her and I do not see it like this at all. Being is the media spotlight such as she is not something that I nor yourself with whatever fame you have acquired as a writer would know anything about. What it all entails we do not know, so we should not judge. She started off as a talk show host and she was good at what she is good at what she does. America liked her so of course she rose in popularity. This is not an easy thing because the more popular you become the more you learn how things work as a celebrity. Everything you do gets media attention through no fault of her own. This is how media, news, radio works. Is it not? Oprah has done many things that we all do not know about unless someone tells it. I do not think Oprah is the one having her assistants calling new people to let them know the things she has done. She does not need to. Whenever she does something huge it is the media that picks up on it and flys and the only left for her to do is comment back are talk about it for you will be bombarded with emails, news stations wanting to know what this is all about. This is the way media is in this county. When people have this type of popularity, I think it comes with great responsibility because people look up to you and sometimes unfortunatly for them or fortunatley for them people use celebrities as role models and we all know this, this is now america works. What you see as Oprah tooting her own horn, I see as something that comes with popularity. Just as I see your popularity being used to bash someone that is making a change in the world. Understand that she knows the responsiblity she has and uses it to show people how they can make a change and if they would like to follow or take ideas from her so be it. The world would be a better place for it. For these people that have also stated their dissapointment for her because she did not help them and their situation....you know how many billions of letters and requests she gets and has no way to see and read them herselves. REALITY CHECK PEOPLE......be realistic...I think I have a sad life story as well. Do I ever think she will help me.....NO...because I also know that there are a billion other situations in this world that are much worse then mine will ever be. So her only responsibility is to herself and she must pick and choose what speaks to her heart and only her heart, and not ours. So instead of bringing up the negatives of someone who is actually making a difference with their money, focus on what you can do with you and yours. Negative begets negative and positive negets positive no matter wether it is worth your actions, comments, etc....I am sure if we all looked at what you are doing many would come up with things where you would think..This is not what I am doing? This is not what I am about?...If everyone one of us would being with ourselves, instead of taking time to bash other on what they are doing, the world would be a better place for sure. In actuality, she does not have to do anything with her money for anyone if she chooses. So again, do some sole searching of her own to see what you can do for others instead of worrying about what others are doing for others.
25 - john
hello my name is john and im just writing u this letter because im goin through so much rite now and just need some guidence. both of my best frds r locked up and there family aint there for them and there bail is so high and i just need a word of advice from someone like u 1 bail is 2500 and the other is 25000 and im tryna get as much money as i can up but its so hard doin that and tryna take care of myself to soo plzz can u guide me threw this